Best of Les: The best quotes from Les Miles from Week 7

There’s no such thing as a down week for LSU coach Les Miles. The Mad Hatter talked about former South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, running back Leonard Fournette’s exposure to the media, holidays and more.

Here are the best quotes of the week from Les Miles:

Les likes being the bad cop

Miles was asked about how he felt Fournette was handling the intense media exposure that has followed him for most of the season. Miles said being in the limelight is something Fournette is used to, but said he wouldn’t mind telling the media to get lost if Fournette feels overwhelmed.

“He was a big part of high school football in our country and certainly in Louisiana so it’s not the first time he’s been through this scenario,” Miles said during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference. “I’ve told him on a number of occasions all he has to do is tell me it’s not fun anymore, it’s too hard, and I am the bad guy. I will step in and stop the media and give him as much room as he possibly could need.”

Miles said he wants Fournette to enjoy college, but reiterated that he won’t be afraid to shoo the media frenzy away.

“I understand that they’re college students and they’re supposed to have fun going to college and being young and to experience college in a unique way,” Miles said. “If that ever changes, all Leonard has to say is ‘Coach’ and then I promise you I am very comfortably the bad guy there.”

Way to be a buzzkill, Les!

Who still uses chat rooms?

Miles had an interesting response on Monday to a question regarding his players being on social media. First, he said there was no use for Twitter and then said something that generated a flashback to 2002.

“The game is always played on the field, not in the media chat rooms,” Miles said on Monday according to NOLA.com’s Jim Kleinpeter.

Everyone in that room was likely waiting for another outdated reference such as “I call all my recruits on their landline telephone.” But, Miles is kind of right. Twitter is a media chat room.

By the way, if you want to contact Miles, he will be available via AOL Instant Messenger on his dial-up connection.

Miles’ tribute to Steve Spurrier

We may never know if Miles and the Tigers were the team that drove Spurrier out of coaching, but Miles gave a nice tribute to the Head Ball Coach.

“He was a great player, he won at every school he ever was the head coach at,” Miles said. “He had a big personality. He was one of those guys who made college football very entertaining. He will be missed.”

Couldn’t have said it any better, coach. Miles may have to carry the torch as the most quotable coach in the SEC with Spurrier gone.

Les prefers St. Paddy’s Day

This quote needs to be set up with some context before even trying to explain it. Miles was asked about having Florida as a permanent rival on its schedule. He answered the question, but then asked the media a question of his own.

“It’s Columbus Day today,” Miles said according to Kleinpeter. “Did you guys know that?”

Somebody looked at his calendar!

A media member retorted and asked Miles what his thoughts were about Columbus Day. Once again, Miles found a unique way to answer a simple question.

“Let’s just not confuse Columbus Day with St. Paddy’s Day or some other more noteworthy day like Presidents’ Day, etc.,” Miles said according to Kleinpeter. “So thanks.”

I’ll just let you figure this one out on your own.

"Can we get your thoughts on Columbus Day?"
Les Miles laughs and says, 'Let's just not confuse Columbus Day w/ St. Patrick's Day…"